Your choice in business suits should reflect both a professional and personal touch. Stylish business suits for men create the impression of a powerful, collected businessman with personal appeal and confidence.
The perfect suit can be hard to find. It's normal to feel frustrated trying to find a suit that fits well, yet doesn't make you look like an undertaker. Men's business suits are not known for their catchy styles or edgy patterns.
But don't give up hope since some modern looks are finally sneaking into this sleepy business suit club. New materials and styles are popping up all over the men's apparel market. As for color, suits are not only offered in every shade of black, but they're also available in other shades, ranging from darker ones like charcoal and navy to lighter taupes and tans.
You're not completely free of those traditional chains, though. Any business suit needs to be appropriate for the attitude and atmosphere of your office. Wearing a wide-shoulder, pastel pink business suit from the 1980s probably won't help you earn any respect.
Colors
The color of your suit should work with you, creating the most powerful and impressive appearance possible. Avoid extremely light colors, especially all white. Lighter shades, such as tan, are growing in popularity, but make sure it is on the darker side. Light colors show off every speck of dirt or tiny stain. They show wrinkles, sweat and general use, and they will look terrible by the end of the day.
Power colors are usually a good bet in business suits for men. Power colors stand out and get you noticed without seeming garish. Their look is imposing without becoming overpowering. Common power colors include black, navy blue and dark brown. Pale shades are never good power color choices.
Patterns can help liven up a men's suit, even if the colors need to be quiet. The traditional pinstripe, houndstooth or herringbone patterns are still fashionable. But now there's also the option of checkered, shadow-stripe and multi-stripe. It's even becoming appropriate to wear subtle plaids and sharkskin again.
The lining is a great tool for adding color without seeming obnoxious. Almost any color or pattern can add a stylish flair to the basic suit, as long as it complements the outer hue and isn't too shocking when you remove your coat. Linings should be clean and tailored, with no sloppy folds or bulges in the fabric.
Materials
Materials for men's suits have changed, but not much. The basic fabrics like wool, cotton, blends and raw silk are still favored. Polyester is great in a blend, but it tends to look cheap when used alone.
Jersey doesn't hold a tailored suit's lines very well and is almost never used. Linens can look good, but they wrinkle too easily to be considered proper office attire. Consider your climate, though, because linen might keep you cooler when it is hot out.
The Perfect Fit
Fit is the most important thing about any business suit. A sharp, clean suit gives you a sharp, clean appearance. Check that seams are straight and everything lies smoothly. Make sure to try the suit on with anything you normally carry in your pockets. Slip your wallet, cell phone and/or business cards into the pockets to make sure they fit without ruining the tailored lines.
Sleeve length is important, and the ideal suit sleeve should end after your wrist bone, at the base of the thumb. It should leave about one inch of shirt cuff showing when the arm is bent halfway. Sleeves longer than that make you look like the incredible shrinking man. If they're shorter than that, they make you look like a giraffe in a man's suit.
Pant legs should a little below the ankle and break slightly over the shoe. The back hem of your pants should never be long enough to touch the ground. Keep in mind that thick cuffs make the legs look shorter, and an absence of cuffs make them look longer.
Test the mobility of the jacket and pants by raising, bending and extending your arms and legs. If you spend most of your time sitting, make sure to sit in the pants to check if the waist and crotch will become uncomfortable. Also make sure that the jacket will easily button and unbutton so you can slip it on and off.
The best way to get a perfect fit is to have custom business suits made. Having a tailor create the suit just for you guarantees the perfect material, color and cut. If you need a slightly cheaper option, try buying a suit and having it professionally fitted. The adjustment can be as small as a change in sleeve length, or as big as an entire refitting.
Accessories
The accessories you pair with your suit can make or break the look. Your shoes and belt should always match, and they should be slightly darker than the suit. Any tie or handkerchief should complement the suit and each other. The sharpest-looking ties and handkerchiefs are ones that match, complement or enhance a suit's lining. Choose ties that complement your suit or your shirt to add color, style and energy to your look.
 | Men's clothes change little from year to year, so classic styles are always a wise and fashionable investment. Stick to well-tailored pieces and subtle hues. Then stock up on an assortment of shirts and ties to add color and personality to your wardrobe. |
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